So the PCAT isn't curved or the scores aren't adjusted correct? Even with the changes?

[clutchtho]

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As I understand it, our scores are compared amongst the 2011-2015 group right?

Are the scores adjusted at all before the official percentile ranks are given? Seems like a massive oversight that the new test, which appears to be harder with passages than the prior tests, would be judged against them.

So I was wondering if the scaled score is changed based on the year you took it during and how others did during that period, and then compared against the 2011-2015 group, or if it is just the raw.

Sorry if I'm spamming guys, I'm just freaking out because the test is in literally 2 days

 

[futurepharmacist2016]

I would like to know too! I think it will still be curved based on the 2011 though.

 

[JZC]

This is straight from their website. Hope it helps!

"It is important to note when comparing the current Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks to those obtained prior to July 2016 that the subtests included in the Composite average has changed. The 2011 Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks included the Verbal Ability subtest in the calculation, which weighted the Composite scores more toward the language skills than the 2015 Composite scores and percentile ranks, which does not include the Verbal Ability subtest. As a result, the Composite scores earned from July 2016 on are more weighted toward the sciences than previously earned Composite scores. PRs obtained prior to July 2016 were originally based on the 2011 norms (June 2007 through January 2011) but for reporting purposes have been converted to the 2015 PRs. Please also note that Composite percentile ranks reported on Official Transcripts for scores earned prior to July 2016 are based on recalculated scales scores that do not include the Verbal Ability subtest."

 

[clutchtho]

This is straight from their website. Hope it helps!

"It is important to note when comparing the current Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks to those obtained prior to July 2016 that the subtests included in the Composite average has changed. The 2011 Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks included the Verbal Ability subtest in the calculation, which weighted the Composite scores more toward the language skills than the 2015 Composite scores and percentile ranks, which does not include the Verbal Ability subtest. As a result, the Composite scores earned from July 2016 on are more weighted toward the sciences than previously earned Composite scores. PRs obtained prior to July 2016 were originally based on the 2011 norms (June 2007 through January 2011) but for reporting purposes have been converted to the 2015 PRs. Please also note that Composite percentile ranks reported on Official Transcripts for scores earned prior to July 2016 are based on recalculated scales scores that do not include the Verbal Ability subtest."

darn so more heavily based on the sections that got harder this year :/

FREAKING OUTTT

 

[futurepharmD103]

This is straight from their website. Hope it helps!

"It is important to note when comparing the current Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks to those obtained prior to July 2016 that the subtests included in the Composite average has changed. The 2011 Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks included the Verbal Ability subtest in the calculation, which weighted the Composite scores more toward the language skills than the 2015 Composite scores and percentile ranks, which does not include the Verbal Ability subtest. As a result, the Composite scores earned from July 2016 on are more weighted toward the sciences than previously earned Composite scores. PRs obtained prior to July 2016 were originally based on the 2011 norms (June 2007 through January 2011) but for reporting purposes have been converted to the 2015 PRs. Please also note that Composite percentile ranks reported on Official Transcripts for scores earned prior to July 2016 are based on recalculated scales scores that do not include the Verbal Ability subtest."

Does this mean that the test takers from 2011 to 2015, which we will be compared to, already had gotten scores that do not include the verbal ability? Or Pearson has recalculated them for the comparison purpose? Either way, it sounds like it's not good for us because their passage based questions were not scored as they were all experimental. Wouldn't this make their test easier?

 

[JZC]

Their scores (people who took it 2011-2015) did include verbal in their scores. Pearson took out the verbal ability and recalculated them for comparison purposes, yes.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TAKING IT TOMORROW (including me lol)!!

 

[clutchtho]

Their scores (people who took it 2011-2015) did include verbal in their scores. Pearson took out the verbal ability and recalculated them for comparison purposes, yes.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TAKING IT TOMORROW (including me lol)!!

good luck! let us know how it goes!

 

[ceciij]

This is straight from their website. Hope it helps!

"It is important to note when comparing the current Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks to those obtained prior to July 2016 that the subtests included in the Composite average has changed. The 2011 Composite scaled scores and percentile ranks included the Verbal Ability subtest in the calculation, which weighted the Composite scores more toward the language skills than the 2015 Composite scores and percentile ranks, which does not include the Verbal Ability subtest. As a result, the Composite scores earned from July 2016 on are more weighted toward the sciences than previously earned Composite scores. PRs obtained prior to July 2016 were originally based on the 2011 norms (June 2007 through January 2011) but for reporting purposes have been converted to the 2015 PRs. Please also note that Composite percentile ranks reported on Official Transcripts for scores earned prior to July 2016 are based on recalculated scales scores that do not include the Verbal Ability subtest."

Guys!!!!!!! I have aa BIG BIG QUESTION!!!! I took the pcat on July 2015 and the only part in which i failed was the verbal ability....i am taking it again, but according to the post...does it mean that i didnt need to retake it?!?! Because that score won't be taken on consideration?!?!? Or it's only for the curve pf composites that they are making?!?

 

[pharmdextradionaire]

No I'm sure that that score will still stand. They just had to reevaluate the old tests because they changed the format for these new tests so they couldn't base our scores off the old tests without doing that.

 

[clutchtho]

Guys!!!!!!! I have aa BIG BIG QUESTION!!!! I took the pcat on July 2015 and the only part in which i failed was the verbal ability....i am taking it again, but according to the post...does it mean that i didnt need to retake it?!?! Because that score won't be taken on consideration?!?!? Or it's only for the curve pf composites that they are making?!?

yeah no you have to take it again probably. They are not counting the verbal only when evaluating it against this pcat, but colleges will still see all 5 sub section scores if you apply with the 2015 pcat